Christmas – What Gift Do You Bring Him?

If you are in a spiritually uneven marriage, the holiday season can be stressful and uncertain. 

However, the Prince of Peace wants you to focus on Him.  Jesus desires your love, devotion and obedience.  But we also have to recognize His Deity, as did the wise men of old.

  

The customary Christmas story in Matthew chapter 2 is set in the hill country of Judea, about five miles southwest of Jerusalem in the area surrounding the town of Bethlehem.   

Micah 5:2 refers to Bethlehem as “…little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.”

Matthew 2:1-2 records details of the magi’s visit from the East to pay homage to the newborn King as follows:  Now after Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, saying, “Where is He who has been born King of the Jews? For we have seen His star in the East and have come to worship Him.”

Traditionally we celebrate the magi’s worship of our Lord – otherwise known as Epiphany – in January, but I wanted to highlight it during this season of giving.  The three gifts offered represent Jesus Christ as our King, Priest and Prophet.  Scripture references are Daniel 9:24-27, Deuteronomy 18:15, and Psalm 110:4.  

Some church historians, particularly in the West, have named the three magi in Scripture as: Melchior, a king of Arabia who most likely was the oldest of the kings; Balthasar, a king from Saba (present day Yemen); and Caspar, a king from Tarsus (present day southern Turkey).

Their unusual and highly valued presents were Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh.  Gold was a gift befitting a king. In the book of Exodus, the tabernacle in which God Himself dwelt housed various items which were either crafted from solid gold or overlaid in gold.  Gold itself is symbolic of royalty and wealth, and is representative of heaven’s grandeur on the streets of gold mentioned in the book of Revelation. 

Frankincense was a chief ingredient in the incense which was to be burned continually in the tabernacle.  In the book of Revelation the prayers of the saints are rising to God’s throne as burning incense. 

Myrrh was a chief ingredient in the anointing oil used in ceremonial rituals to dedicate kings and prophets to the Lord’s service. It was also used in the burial process along with other herbs and spices to preserve the body as mentioned in John 19:39.

Matthew 2:11 states, “And when they (magi) had come into the house, they saw the young Child with Mary His mother, and fell down and worshiped Him. And when they had opened their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold, frankincense, and myrrh.”

You say, “What can I bring Jesus?”  I’m not royalty… I’ve not traveled thousands of miles to see Him… I don’t have an extravagant gift to hand Him.  Ah – but you do. His desire is to have your heart this Christmas season…

We often sing the more popular stanzas in Christmas hymns and omit the others.  Read the entire hymn below to get a deeper glimpse into the wonderful sentiments of the author.

We Three Kings of Orient Are

We three kings of Orient are; Bearing gifts we traverse afar,

Field and fountain, moor and mountain, Following yonder star.

O star of wonder, star of night, Star with royal beauty bright,

Westward leading, still proceeding, Guide us to thy perfect light.

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain, Gold I bring to crown Him again,

King forever, ceasing never,  Over us all to reign.

Frankincense to offer have I; Incense owns a Deity nigh;

Prayer and praising all men raising, Worship Him, God on high.

Myrrh is mine: its bitter perfume, Breathes a life of gathering gloom:

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying, Sealed in the stone-cold tomb.

Glorious now behold Him arise, King and God and sacrifice;

Alleluia, Alleluia!  Sounds through the earth and skies.

~ John Henry Hopkins, Jr.  (1820-1891)

 

Deborah is the author of a Christian non-fiction book titled “Mission Possible”.  It is written for women who love the Lord Jesus, but their spouse doesn’t share their passion.  It will encourage and challenge the reader to embrace God’s promises for their spouse and future together. Visit Spiritually Uneven Marriage

Christmas – What Gift Do You Bring Him?